Code Camp Gets Even Bigger

Posted on 27 May 2015

Stratos Technology Partners helped organize and sponsor Code Camp 2015. This year more than 150 people attended and we got lots of great feedback.

Code Camp is a user-generated worldwide network of free conferences primarily focused but not exclusively on Microsoft technologies. It’s a great opportunity for members of the local IT community to find out about new technologies, how they are applied and to meet others. This year it was held at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

At 4:45 on Saturday the 16th of March, I stood in front of a room full of delegates from Code Camp Christchurch to say thank you to our sponsors, presenters and attendees. The prize draw was a great way to close off a fantastic day of learning, sharing and networking.

A record number of people registered meaning we had to bump up the catering budget a week before the event! Having a great turnout really helps secure the future of Code Camp and is the key to attracting great presenters and the all important sponsors.

Code Camp was opened with a Keynote from Jade Software’s Chief Innovation Officer, John Ascroft. John spoke about involving designers earlier in the development process and the importance of focusing on user experience. CPIT gave us access to 3 lecture theatres and big crowds turned up for 15 talks covering software development, SQL server and Business Intelligence and SharePoint.

The development stream included talks by senior developers from Xero, software language experts from Microsoft and a popular talk on how to be a better developer by Bevan Arps who runs the Wellington .NET User Group.

The SQL / BI stream included three Microsoft MVP’s and Warwick Rudd, a Microsoft Certified Master in SQL Server. A demo of GPS data streaming from a mobile app (driven around Christchurch by Sarah Harding from Candle) and then presented using Microsoft’s Power BI cloud software attracted a lot of interest.

The recent Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago was filled with announcements related to SharePoint and Office 365. Talks covering highlights from Ignite, digital workplaces, workflow tools and the latest news on SharePoint 2016 filled the day.

I received feedback from many people including an email that simply said “Code Camp has become a real asset to the IT community, thank you for making it happen.” You can see more highlights of Code Camp from the social media streams.

I would like to acknowledge my fellow Code Camp organisers Martin Catherall (Statistics NZ), Hamish Watson (Jade Software), Nick Draper (IAG) and David Carter (Stratos). A huge thank you to our fellow sponsors and to 15 people who donated their time to present. Great work everyone, thank you!